Why Engaging the Community Early in a Development Project is a Smart Move

"It’s the vibe, your Honour."

If there’s one thing The Castle taught us, it’s that community matters. Whether it’s a humble weatherboard home next to an airport or a brand-new development in the works, people care about their patch. And if you roll in without talking to the locals first, you might just find yourself in a stoush bigger than Darryl Kerrigan taking on the big boys in court. “You can’t just walk in and take someone’s backyard!”

Developers who engage early don’t just avoid battles—they build better projects. Get the community onside, work with businesses, and make sure emergency services, councils, and stakeholders aren’t blindsided. That way, when it’s time for approvals, you’re not hearing “Tell ‘em they’re dreamin”—you’re getting a smooth run through the system. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just a development. It’s someone’s backyard, their main street, their vibe. And getting that right? Well you might just miss your “this is an abuse of power!” moment.

We’ve seen some of the positive benefits first hand from our clients.  

Why Engaging the Community Early in a Development Project is a Smart Move

Too often, community engagement is seen as a compliance box to tick—something that happens only after a development application (DA) is submitted. But forward-thinking developers and commercial builders are flipping this approach and seeing real benefits.

We’ve been working with large-scale commercial builders to engage with communities and stakeholders before lodging their development applications. Here’s why this early engagement is a game-changer:

🔹 Stronger Community Buy-In

By involving the community from the start, developers can address local concerns, build trust, and ensure that projects reflect community needs. A proactive approach helps prevent opposition before it escalates.

🔹 Smoother Approvals Process

Developments with clear community support are more likely to gain planning approvals without delays. Councils appreciate seeing developers who have already engaged stakeholders, leading to fewer objections and a more efficient process.

🔹 Better Design Outcomes 

Communities hold valuable local knowledge that can shape better project outcomes. Early input can help refine designs, improve amenity, and align with the character of the area, making developments more sustainable and widely accepted.

🔹 Reduced Risk & Cost

Pushback at the final approval stage can lead to expensive redesigns, delays, or even rejection. Early engagement allows developers to identify potential roadblocks early, saving time and money in the long run.

🔹 Stronger Stakeholder Relationships 

Beyond the community, engaging with local businesses, councils, and other stakeholders ensures that projects are integrated into the broader vision for an area, opening up new opportunities for collaboration.

As the development landscape becomes more complex, early engagement is no longer optional—it’s essential. It leads to better projects, faster approvals, and stronger community relationships.

Case Study: Coburg Health Precinct 

The Coburg Health Precinct is an ambitious project aimed at providing substantial community benefits by ensuring that local residents and surrounding communities, regardless of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, have access to personalised, professional, and quality health care across a wide range of medical and allied health services. Purpose-built, this hub will offer quality care in modern, inclusive, and sustainable surroundings, while also stimulating the local economy and supporting local employment.

• Key Highlights

  • Community-Focused Services: The precinct will be utilised to deliver services on a community or not-for-profit basis, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity.

  • Significant Investment: A $160 million investment is allocated for the development of the health precinct, with a projected $300 million benefit to the local economy.

  • Job Creation: The project is expected to create 1,000 jobs during both the construction and operational phases, bolstering local employment opportunities.

• Planned Services Include

  • Acute patient care unit

  • Not-for-profit aged care facility with associated transitional care

  • Community health services, including NDIS and disability services

  • Educational opportunities

  • Mental health hospital providing inpatient care and day programs

  • Early childhood learning facility

  • Medical consulting suites

  • Ancillary office and retail spaces

• Our Involvement

  • Designing an engagement program for this phasing of the project.

  • Co-delivering an online community information session.

  • Preparing a communication plan and accompanying copy to encourage involvement in the project.

  • Supporting our client to deliver community pop-ups at nearby locations.

  • Summarising the key findings from the engagement to inform a redesign and the Development Application.

If you're a developer or commercial builder looking to strengthen your stakeholder engagement strategy before submitting a DA, let's chat!

Why Engaging the Community Early in Event Planning is a Smart Move

Major events bring energy, tourism, and economic benefits—but they also come with challenges like traffic, noise, safety, and environmental impact. Too often, stakeholder and community engagement happens too late in the process, leading to resistance, last-minute changes, or even permit delays.

That’s why we’ve been working with festival creators to integrate early community and stakeholder consultation into their event planning process. And the results? Safer, smoother, and more successful planning permit process.

Here’s why early engagement is a game-changer for major events:

🔹 Stronger Safety & Emergency Readiness 

Engaging with emergency services early means event plans are informed by expert input on crowd control, evacuation routes, and risk management. This results in safer events for attendees and the broader community.

🔹 Business Buy-In & Economic Benefits 

Local businesses aren’t just bystanders; they’re key stakeholders. Engaging with them early builds excitement and support while allowing them to prepare for increased foot traffic, adjust staffing, and create event-aligned offerings.

🔹 Community Confidence & Reduced Objections 

Events impact local communities in big ways—from traffic movement to noise levels, parking, and environmental concerns. Proactively engaging residents ensures their voices are heard, potential issues are identified before they escalate, and solutions can be built into event plans.

🔹 Environmental & Wildlife Considerations 

Large events can impact local ecosystems. Early engagement helps identify ways to minimise environmental damage, such as protecting wildlife habitats, reducing waste, and ensuring responsible event infrastructure.

When done well, community and stakeholder engagement isn’t just about compliance or even fast tracking a permit process—it’s about creating better events that are safer, more inclusive, and more welcomed by the people they impact.

If you’re an event organiser, festival creator, or council managing major event permits, we can help you build a stronger, more supported event plan. Let’s chat!